New Delhi: Delhi Police heavily barricaded central Delhi in response to calls for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, leading to the detention of prominent political figures including Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee. Party workers and leaders such as MP Dola Sen were also taken into custody as they attempted to advance toward the protest venue.
Authorities enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to restrict public gatherings across the national capital. Multiple checkpoints were established at border regions and key roundabouts, including Connaught Place, while forty-five metro stations were shut down alongside shop closures and suspended internet services to curb movement.
Visuals from the area captured extensive deployments of police and paramilitary personnel, continuous patrols by PCR vans, diverted traffic routes, and buses stationed to transport detainees to nearby police facilities. Despite the heavy restrictions, groups of protesters and students managed to reach the area on foot from outer sections, raising slogans against the administration before security personnel, including women officers, intervened.
Police confirmed that no official permission had been granted for any demonstrations. Throughout the day, authorities intercepted civilian protesters, members arriving by flights, and various opposition leaders seeking to join the march.